A poster of the movie

Guwahati, Aug. 11: The pre-release storm triggered by the Amitabh Bachchan-Saif Ali Khan starrer Aarakshan quietly hit Assam this evening with the All Assam Tribal Sangha seeking a ban on its screening on the eve of its statewide release tomorrow. It said the “controversial” film might create unrest among the communities that enjoy reservation in the state.

The demand comes despite director Prakash Jha reportedly agreeing to remove “objectionable” scenes following the ban on the film’s release in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab on the ground of law and order.

The All Assam Other Backward Classes Youth and Student Association also issued a warning this evening saying that if the film had anything remotely against reservation, it would take “appropriate” steps.

Even before the ban, Dispur was on its toes. Assam chief secretary N.K. Das had told The Telegraph this afternoon that the administration would be “on alert” as a precautionary measure.

Das did not elaborate but sources said it would be foolhardy to take any chances as the movie dealt with the sensitive issue of reservation. “Anything provocative can impact the state with more than half its population comprising Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes,” an official said.

Most cinemas that will screen the movie here from tomorrow have decided to move local thanas for adequate police deployment.

Cinemax manager Sanjay Roy said they had requested Bhangagarh thana for additional security not knowing what to expect. “The OC has assured us of all cooperation. Even the CRPF has promised help,” he said. K.L Bhuyan, the manager of Anuradha cinema, has also sought police cover. Their apprehension is not unfounded given the turn of events.

The general secretary of All Assam Tribal Sangha, Aditya Khaklary, told The Telegraph that they had faxed a memorandum to chief minister Tarun Gogoi, the chief secretary and principal secretary T.Y. Das this evening, seeking a ban on the “controversial” movie as some scenes and dialogues in the film were “provocative” and might “arouse passions” of some communities in Assam.

“Therefore, we have requested an immediate ban on the movie in the greater interest of Assam,” he said.

The ban was sought after Khaklary consulted the All Tiwa Students Union, All Rabha Students Union and the All Mising Students Union. The All Assam Tribal Sangha, the apex body of tribals in the state, has 27 member organisations.

Bhaskar Gohain, the president of the All Assam OBC Youth and Student Association, said senior members had decided to first see the movie to check for “objectionable contents” and then decide on its next step. The Other Backward Classes constitute 56 per cent of the state’s population of around 3.11 crore according to the 2011 census.